Potencial tecnológico da Aloe arborescens como biopolímero no tratamento de água

Abstract

The use extensive of aluminum sulphate in the treatment of water intended for human consumption has caused problems in the environment and in human health. In order to remedy this problem in water treatment, the use of a biopolymer as an alternative coagulant, low cost and biodegradable, is studied in this work. Biopolymers are generated by living organisms and have great advantages over coagulants and inorganic flocculants in the treatment of water, because its use increases the biodegradability in the residue generated at the end of the process. In this work the biopolymer used was the mucilage of Aloe arborescens because it has many benefits for the environment and human health. The mucilage characterization analyzes understood: moisture, fixed mineral residue, crude fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, lignin, lipids, water activity, pH, PCZ, IV-TF, MEV and thermogravimetric analysis. The treatment followed na experimental planning using central composite rotational design 2³, being the dependent variables: biopolymer concentration, aluminum sulphate concentration and settling time, in order to analyze the variables responses turbidity and organic compounds at 254 nm. Water was characterized before and after treatment, the analyzes understood were: DQO, DBO, STD, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, turbidity, organic compounds in 254 nm, total coliforms and E. coli, highlighting the reduction of turbidity (91.29%) and organic matter (17.64%). Were done ecotoxicity tests in water samples at two trophic levels, which presented no toxicity. The biotechnological potential of Aloe arborescens for water treatment was satisfactory in the evaluated parameters.